As solar becomes more popular, installers and equipment manufacturers are adding service options to differentiate their company from the competition. Extended service warranties (beyond the required five years), and annual maintenance services (panel cleaning, production assessment, inverter testing, etc.) might be available.

Equipment manufacturers are also raising the bar for customer service. Check out your equipment manufacturer website and/or call them directly as if you already own the system to assess how you will be treated after purchase. A hint of how the manufacturer treats customers is whether their website has a “Customers Only” section and whether an actual person answers their customer service line.

NorCal Solar

NorCal Solar, a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization established in 1974, is committed to consumer education about the many uses of solar energy as a roadmap for increased use of renewable energy in northern California.